Congress-_Bill_to_Law_Notes.pptx

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Overview

• The process through which legislation passes in Congress and becomes law involves several critical steps, from introduction to presidential approval.

Step 1: Introduction of Bill

• Who Can Introduce:

  • Bills can be introduced by members of Congress (Senators or Representatives).

  • Introduced in the Senate as S.R. and in the House of Representatives as H.R.

  • Bills are placed in the hopper (a box for proposed legislation).

Types of Resolutions

• Simple Resolution:

  • Passed by one house, establishes rules or regulations without the force of law.

  • Example: Rules for committees.

• Concurrent Resolution:

  • Passed by both houses, has no force of law and does not require presidential approval.

  • Example: Adjusting the budget.

• Joint Resolution:

  • A proposal for a future law that requires approval from both houses and the President.

  • Example: Constitutional amendments.

Step 2: Committees

• Assignment of Bills:

  • The Speaker of the House in H.O.R. and the presiding officer in the Senate decide the committee that receives the bill.

Types of Committees

• Standing Committees:

  • Permanent committees handling bills regarding specific issues.

  • House has 20, Senate has 16 standing committees (e.g., Agriculture, Budget).

• Select Committees:

  • Temporary committees created for specific tasks and dissolve when their purpose is completed (e.g., Committee on Benghazi).

• Joint Committees:

  • Comprised of members from both chambers to discuss key policy areas (e.g., Joint Committee on Taxation).

• Conference Committees:

  • Formed when both houses pass different versions of a bill to reconcile differences.

Key Committees to Know

• House Committees:

  • Rules Committee: Schedules bills and controls debate.

  • Ways and Means Committee: Focuses on tax legislation.

• Senate Committees:

  • Judiciary Committee: Confirms presidential judicial appointments.

  • Foreign Relations Committee: Oversees treaties and foreign policy matters.

Step 3: Floor Debate

• House of Representatives:

  • Formal debate managed by the Rules Committee, defining the structure and time limits.

• Senate:

  • Less formal; Senators can propose amendments (referred to as riders).

  • Filibuster: Senators can extend debate indefinitely, requiring a cloture to end it.

Voting in the Senate

• Holds:

  • Senators can request holds to delay a vote, similar to a filibuster.

Step 4: Voting

• Quorum Requirements:

  • Majority of members present is needed for voting.

  • House = 218, Senate = 51.

• Voting Methods in House:

  • Teller Vote, Voice Vote, Division Vote, Roll Call Vote, Electronic Voting.

• Voting Methods in Senate:

  • Similar to House except no electronic voting.

Step 5: Conference Committee

• Purpose:

• If both chambers pass different versions of a bill, they resolve differences in a conference committee.

• Final versions sent back to both houses for approval.

Step 6: Presidential Approval

• Options for President:

  1. Approve the bill.

  2. Veto it (Congress can override veto with a two-thirds vote).

  3. Ignore it (if Congress is in session, it becomes law; if not, it is a pocket veto).

  4. Pocket Veto: If Congress adjourns within 10 days and the president does not sign, the bill fails.

Activities

• Activity #1: Differences in House and Senate law-making processes.

• Activity #2: Participate in a "Human Timeline" to understand the legislative process.

• Activity #3: Create a flowchart illustrating how a bill becomes a law.

• Activity #4: Order steps in the bill process.

• Activity #5: Brainstorm ways to stop a bill before it becomes law.

• Activity #6: Track a bill using the GovTrack website.